Chinese activist ventures outside on sunny Sunday

FILE -- In a May 19, 2012 file photo blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng arrives at Washington Square Village on the campus of New York University in New York. He is planning to study law at NYU. But before that, he says he is planning to spend time recuperating. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams/file)

FILE -- In a May 19, 2012 file photo blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng arrives at Washington Square Village on the campus of New York University in New York. He is planning to study law at NYU. But before that, he says he is planning to spend time recuperating. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams/file)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A day after leaving China, a blind legal activist ventured outside near where he's living in New York City.

Chen Guangcheng spent a sunny Sunday sitting in a wheelchair in the shade as children played nearby.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, tells AP Television News that Chen is a "courageous man."

"He's very gentle and very tough at the same time," the New Jersey Republican says. "His cause, which is defending women from the crime of forced abortion, has not had enough focus in the world community."

New York University law professor Jerome Cohen says Chen, who is to study law at NYU, is in "admirable shape."

Chen escaped house arrest in China and was given sanctuary inside the U.S. Embassy, setting off a diplomatic skirmish that ended with his leaving China.

Associated Press

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